Bob Webster

Gooseberries Fresh Food Market in Burlington will be hosting their Annual Holiday Show from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday December 16th. The store says it is their “most fun event” of the year, so you can be sure there will be lots of food items and free samples.

This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World” so sample offerings will be representative of countries far and near and will include Cranberry Breakfast Sausage and Potato Sausage from Germany, Bacon Water Chestnut Dip from Norway, Deviled Egg Dip from Ethiopia, Wreath Salad with Pears from Spain and Tamale Casserole from Mexico. The United States will be showcasing Cranberry Orange Meatballs and an Overnight Egg Bake just to name a few.

Gather family, friends or co-workers for this Family Friendly event and go check it out! Tons of samples and lots of fun, plus the ideas for food prep going into the holidays will be invaluable.

Gooseberries is located at 690 W. State Street (Hwy 36) in Burlington.

Here is your chance to see some of the most beautiful lighting displays in the area from a particularly unique point of view, when you board the Santa Cruise for a ride on Geneva Lake to view lakefront estates all decked out for the holidays.

Join Gage Marine this holiday season for a Santa Cruise Boat Tour on Geneva Lake. Cruises depart the Gage Marine dock in Williams Bay hourly beginning at 4:30 p.m. everyday through the end of the year with a few exceptions.

Before you board your boat, you will have the opportunity to walk through the Twelve Charities of Christmas Tree Festival. As you travel around the lake, the lights on each estate are said to tell a magical story of a journey to Santa’s North Pole Hideaway. The cruise provides activities for the kids, along with a snack bar and beverages for kids as well as adults. So, start a new tradition this year and make a reservation to take a December Cruise on Geneva Lake. Plan to arrive early or stay late and enjoy a holiday cocktail and/or meal at Pier 290.

$2.00 from the sale of each ticket will go to support the Santa Cause and the Twelve Charities of Christmas. Please note that cruises only run if weather permits, so please check with the Gage Marine office or their website for tour schedule updates.

Gage Marine and Pier 290 are located at 1 Liechty Drive in Williams Bay.

Safari Lake Geneva is hosting “Jungle Bells Hayrides” at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays in December. Enjoy a 45-minute guided hayride through the animal sanctuary where you can view a wide variety of animals from all over the world, all living in free-range conditions.

The animal reserve is currently home to more than 50 animals from 5 continents, including an Arabian camel, American bison, cattle, llama and alpaca. You may also catch glimpses of several species of antelope, a greater rhea, miniature zebu, Tennessee fainting goats and more.

Ticket prices are $14.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 3 and older and include a cup of animal feed, so plan to get up close and personal with some of the residents. Reservations are required, and they ask that you plan to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your tour time. Safari Lake Geneva is located at W1612 Litchfield Road in Lake Geneva.

So, bundle up, grab the camera and head out for some spectacular winter wildlife watching.

Don’t miss an opportunity to take the kids to see Santa in downtown Lake Geneva, complete with elves and live reindeer. Geneva Java will be hosting Santa and his helpers (both 2 legged and 4) this Saturday, December 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and next Saturday, December 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Aram Public Library in Delavan will be hosting 2 nights of Edible Holiday House building next week. Don’t miss an opportunity to let your creativity shine and test your construction skills by creating an edible house from graham crackers, frosting and candy.

All materials will be provided, and space is limited so registration for the 45 minute time slot is required. Contact the library at (262) 728-3111 x117 or stop by and talk to the clerk at the Children’s Desk.

House building will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th and Wednesday, December 13th, so don’t delay in getting your reservation request in.

The Williams Bay Fire Department is hosting Lunch with Santa this Saturday, December 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enjoy a visit and photo op with Santa, plus a free hot dog lunch with refreshments.

So gather the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews along with their wish lists and head to Williams Bay on Saturday for a fun filled, family friendly event courtesy of the Williams Bay Fire Department.

The Williams Bay Fire Department is located at 5 E. Geneva Street in Williams Bay.

Bradley’s Department Store in Delavan will be hosting a Children’s Live Nativity this Saturday, December 9th beginning at 2:00 p.m. so gather the family and your camera and head to Delavan for the special event.

Bradley’s Department Store has been [art of the Delavan community since 1852. While you’re there, take advantage of their wide selection of men’s and women’s clothing. You can see the Nativity and get some of your Christmas shopping done all in one trip.

Bradley’s Department Store is located at 222 East Walworth in Delavan.

The Geneva Lake Museum will be hosting “A Victorian Christmas” this Saturday, December 2nd from Noon to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a walk through the museum, a visit with Santa, cookies and juice, live entertainment, crafts and more.

Lots of family fun and a visit to the museum, all free of charge. The museum is asking that you please consider bringing a donation for either the Walworth County Food Pantry, the Lakeland Animal Shelter or Toys for Tots.

With the weather finally turning, chances are the only watercraft you’ll find on Geneva Lake are an occasional die-hard fisherman or the barges that are removing the piers for the season, but this Saturday, December 2nd, there will be all kinds of activity at the Williams Bay end the lake when the Gage Marine boats take to the water for Freezin’ for a Reason.

Temps are predicted to be in the 50s for Saturday, so the “Freezin’” part will have to be left up to the water temperatures this year. Probably don’t need to “bundle up”, when you head out for lots of fun and a few shivers as summer watersport enthusiasts gather to raise funds for the Santa Cause Super Charity aka the “Reason” part. Water skiers, wake boarders, tubers, and wake surfers will be taking to the chilly waters of Geneva Lake to wow the crowds and hopefully raise some money. The minimum donation to participate in the event is $60, so contact your friends and get them to sponsor you. Their goal this year is $35,000, with proceeds from the event being used to support several local charities in Walworth County, so if you can help them out with that, please donate.

Gage Marine will be supplying and manning the boats and there will be certified safety personnel on site during the duration of the event. Dry suits will be available for all athletes that need one and there will be a hot tub available for warming up after your time on and/or in the water.

The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 2nd. Plan to watch from any of the neighboring piers that are still in the water, the enclosed outside deck at Pier 290 or you can watch from Gage Marine’s Grand Belle. There will be raffles and an auction, plus Pier 290 will have a cash bar and hot food for purchase. The “Freezin’ for a Reason” event is fun, family friendly and affordable, how can you pass that up?

365 Things To Do in Lake Geneva, WI has found a great way to take the stress right out of your holiday baking!

The First Congregational United Church of Christ at 715 Wisconsin Street in Lake Geneva is hosting their annual “Cookie Walk” on Saturday, December 2nd beginning at 9:00 a.m. and running through 1:00 p.m., or until the cookies are gone.

To ensure that you will have comfortable browsing room, numbers will be handed out as you arrive. The sanctuary will be open during the cookie walk so you will have a warm place to wait for your number to be called, so plan to sit and enjoy some beautiful Christmas music before and even after you shop.

Bakery boxes are supplied to package and transport your selections and all cookies are $9.00/lb. In addition to the cookies, there will be other holiday treats for sale. 50% of the profits will be donated to Side by Side, a local charity that helps families in crisis.

Homemade cookies and no mess, sounds like a perfect way to start enjoying the holidays and support our community at the same time!